GEORGE Osborne today insisted the Tory Government had a “very clear mandate” to win a new EU deal for Britain.

The Chancellor flew to Brussels for talks with other European finance ministers on the Greek debt crisis.

And ahead of the discussions, he said the UK would be “constructive but firm” in the drive to negotiate new EU membership terms.

The Government’s determination to improve Britain’s relationship with the EU and to hold a referendum by the end of 2017 should not be underestimated, he said.

“We come here with a very clear mandate to improve Britain’s relationship with the rest of the European Union and to reform the European Union so that it creates jobs and increases living standards for all its citizens,” he said.

“We go into the negotiations aiming to be constructive and engaged but also resolute and firm and no one should underestimate our determination to succeed for the working people of Britain and the working people of the whole of the European Union.”

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We come here with a very clear mandate to improve Britain’s relationship with the rest of the European Union and to reform the European Union so that it creates jobs and increases living standards for all its citizens

George Osborne

Mr Osborne’s authority was further enhanced today when it was confirmed that he will stand in at Prime Minister’s Questions on occasions when David Cameron is absent.

The Chancellor was given the extra title of “First Secretary of State” in Mr Cameron’s reshuffle at the weekend.

The move effectively made him the Prime Minister’s deputy in all but name.

His opportunities to stand in for Mr Cameron at the Dispatch Box were being seen at Westminster as part of an effort to groom him for the top job in Downing Street.